Security Guard Kills Man Threatening Him With Broken Bottle In Sylmar

SYLMAR (CBSLA.com) — A security guard shot and killed a man who threatened him with a broken bottle Tuesday in Sylmar, authorities said.

Around 3:45 p.m., a man went into the Vons at 13730 Foothill Blvd. as he was bleeding, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

He approached a female cashier. She asked if he needed help.

Investigators said that was when he pulled out a broken bottle and threatened to take the cashier hostage.

At that point, a male cashier pulled her to safety. The suspect walked out of Vons, leaving a bloody trail.

He walked along Foothill Boulevard and knocked on a security guard’s car window. The security guard pulled over, got out of his car and asked the man if he needed help.

Investigators said the man then confronted the security guard, who told him to stay back.

When the security guard almost fell over, fearing for his life, he shot the suspect to death, according to police.

Carlos Sorto saw the shooting.

“The guy was on top of him with a piece of glass like tried to attack him,” Sorto said. “The security was giving instructions like: ‘Can I help you? Or relax.’ The security guard was like keeping the distance, but moving back. He feel like he could reach him with the bottle. And then apparently, he pulled his gun and shot him.”

Detectives said the man might have suffered from mental illness.

As for the security guard, it will be up to the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether he will face any charges.